Internship at the Cambodian Development Research Institution (Lyu Siyu)

From January to February 2024, I had the opportunity to do an internship at the Cambodian Development Resource Institute (CDRI), under the supervision of the Institute’s director Dr. Chea Phal, an Ogawa Zemi alumnus. During my internship, I focused on exploring gender disparities and ICT education in Cambodian secondary schools. This report documents my activities and contributions during my internship.

During my internship, I had a cherished chance to participate in a workshop organized by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, focusing on the “Learning Ability Gap between Male and Female Students at the Upper Secondary Level in General Education.” Under the guidance of Dr. Phal, I analyzed the PISA 2022 dataset using STATA to identify global variations in learning outcomes between genders. Through meticulous data cleaning and analysis, I identified the performance discrepancies between genders in three key subjects: mathematics, reading, and science. The findings revealed a consistent trend where girls demonstrated superior performance in reading across all surveyed countries. However, boys tend to outperform girls in mathematics in the majority of countries.

I also conducted field research on ICT education at Cambodian secondary schools. This involved visiting different types of schools about ICT education. At Westline High School, a private school in Phnom Penh, I interviewed the headmaster and Grade 12 students to understand the broader context of Cambodian education and observe ICT integration in classrooms. I evaluated students’ ICT skills and participated in classroom activities at New Generation Preah Sisowath High School, a public secondary school in Phnom Penh. After synthesizing the findings from field research and consulting with teachers for additional insights, I completed a report on ICT education in Cambodian secondary schools.

In conclusion, my internship at CDRI provided valuable opportunities to delve into critical educational issues, particularly gender disparities and ICT integration. Through workshops, data analysis, and field research, I gained practical insights into the challenges and potential of the Cambodian education system.

I also want to express my appreciation to my professor Keiichi Ogawa, my internship supervisor Dr. Phal and HE Dr. Lim Sothea, Director-General of the Policy and Planning Department at the Cambodian Ministry of Education (MoEYS) for their mentorship and support throughout my internship, who significantly contributed to my professional growth. Their encouragement has been instrumental in shaping my experience and fostering my development.

Authored by Lyu Siyu (Master’s Student)